The Kingdom Divides

The Kingdom Divides: Solomon's Downfall by Jennifer Tolbert

This lesson is focused on helping children understand King Solomon and the timeline event of the Kingdom of Israel dividing. 

Key Concepts: 
1. Even in his wisdom, King Solomon surrounded himself with people who turned his heart away from God. 
2. There are always consequences for sin. Sometimes, the consequences of our sin can hurt others. 
​3. As the children of Israel moved further away from God, their country became weaker and weaker. 

Memory Verse

Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
​Ecclesiastes 12:13b

Songs

Old Testament Book 
Hear O Israel
Lord My Desire
Building Up the Temple
Read Your Bible, Pray Every Day
​Castle of My Heart
​Be Careful Little Eyes

Story

Begin Class with Songs, Games, Table Activity, or Sharing Time
 
Open Class in Prayer

Introducing the Story Ideas
1. Wise Words: Ask the children to share things their parents always say. They may say things like, "Don't talk with your mouth full," OR "Don't talk to strangers." Ask the children, "How do you think your parents become so wise?" Maybe they learned from their own mistake or from watching someone else make the mistake. Talk about how that the older people get, the more experience they have. The children in your class might have good advice for children younger than them. “In today’s story we are going to learn about someone who did not listen to advice from older people. This person listened to advice from people who did not have any experience. (Source: MissionBibleClass.org) 

 
READ  1 Kings 11:41-12:24; 2 Chronicles 10:1-11:4 or tell the story of Jeroboam and Rehoboam. 
EMPHASIZE that:

• There are consequences for our actions/sin. 
• We must be careful who we listen to and surround ourselves with.   
• Nothing is more sad than when God's people divide themselves. 

Visual Aid Resources
​Printable Story

the_kingdom_divides_solomons_downfall.pdf
File Size:	11155 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Review Questions

1. Who was Solomon’s son that was crowned king? Rehoboam
2. What advice did the older men give Rehoboam? Don’t make the people work too hard or pay such high taxes and they will be happy to serve you.
3. What advice did the younger men give Rehoboam? Be mean and the people will have to serve you.
4. The kingdom divided in two with two different names. Who became king of Judah? Rehoboam
5. Who became king of Israel? Jeroboam

God is...

Connect the story back to God and his character. God is just but God is also forgiving. Explain how this fits into God's overall story as the kingdom of Israel divides. What pattern have we seen in previous stories when the people go their own way and don't follow God's way? 

Activity Ideas

Jenga
Supplies: Jenga Blocks
Allow the kids to play a few rounds of Jenga. SAY: "You have to be careful and make good choices about which block to pull or else the tower comes down." Discuss how Solomon's choices made his kingdom come down. How can good/bad choices build/tear down our lives. 

Dividing Up the Kingdom Sort
Supplies: Scissors, Glue, Template
Allow the kids to sort the details between Rehoboam and Jeroboam

dividing_up_the_kingdom_sort.pdf
File Size:	257 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Good Advice Waffle OR Ice Cream Bar
​Supplies: Frozen Waffles & a Toaster OR Ice Cream, Bowls/Plates, Forks/Spoons
Yummy Toppings such as Whipped Cream, Syrups, Sprinkles, Chocolate Chips, etc.
Yucky Toppings such as Beans, Sardines, Soy Sauce, etc. 

​Explain to the kids as you add good things to your waffle/ice cream: 
Your life is made up of the consequences of your actions. You can take good advice and make good choices. (Give age appropriate examples of good choices they may  make; obeying, helping to clean up, picking up their toys, sharing). 
But your life is affected by the bad choices we make. (Make another Sundae or waffle with yucky toppings). Give age appropriate examples of bad choices such as lying, fighting, talking back, etc. as you add yucky toppings. 

Ask the children which one they would like to eat. Emphasize that we create and build our life much the same way. Our lives are made up by our choices! So the advice we take is important.